Topographic Shelter and Conifer Establishment and Mortality in an Alpine Environment,Glacier National Park,Montana |
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| Abstract: | We examined the importance of periglacial shelter in the spatial distribution of conifers at and above alpine treeline. Using a detailed field-based method, we sampled a total of 211 conifer patches at three study locations in Glacier National Park (GNP), Montana. Conifers were found to be nonrandom spatial associates of three periglacial shelter types: boulders, terrace risers, and combination shelters. Our results indicate that conifer establishment and survival in this extreme mountain environment is connected to shelter availability and shelter type. |
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| Keywords: | alpine treeline conifers nurse rocks solifluction Rocky Mountains |
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